A Family 5K at the Fair

It’s no joke that the Fair has the potential to bring people together.  Over the course of the week, there were many instances of families spending time together—whether with livestock, rodeo, ATVs, music, or even hypnotized.  Certainly while eating.  One family story that happened early in the morning on Saturday involved Scott Heer and his daughter Breanna, from Grace.

Scott is a US Navy veteran, and his daughter Breanna is a Grace Highschool Graduate, who is currently in the US Navy Delayed Entry Program awaiting her ship date to boot camp in November. The two competed in the Caribou County 5k at the fair on Saturday, overseen by race director Jeremy Smith, who was Breanna’s cross country coach.

Scott grew up in Pocatello, and joined the Navy in 2002.  He was a Second Class Petty Officer E-5, went to Great Lakes Illinois (Naval Training Center) for basic training and Hull Technician A-School where he learned welding. He served onboard the USS Nimitz CVN 68 and USS Tarawa LHA-1 in the Engineering / Repair Division, stationed In San Diego CA. He did not renew his 4 year enlistment at the end of 2006 because he found out that Breanna was going to be born in January of 2007.

Breanna is the oldest of 7 siblings. She has been involved in Cross Country since 7th grade in Pocatello, and excelled under Coach Smith from Grace where the family moved in 2019.  Breana competed through High School in Cross Country and Track. 

Her dad says that “her dedication and hard work inspired me to start running and get in shape, something we do together now. She stayed with me, keeping me on pace during the Caribou County 5k, my first race (We both took second place in our age groups).”

During her senior year at Grace Highschool began to pursue a career with the Navy.  Her outstanding ASVAB score earned her a lucrative enlistment package and entry to the US Navy nuclear training program. 

According to Scott, “after basic training in Great Lakes Illinois in November 2025 she will go to NPS ( Navy Power School) near Charleston South Carolina for 2 years. Her goal will be to earn the title of ETN (Electronics Technician Nuclear) where she will operate and maintain advanced Nuclear Propulsion Electronics equipment. After that school she will most likely be assigned to an Aircraft Carrier, like I was. I am so proud of her dedication and commitment to everything she does, she has worked tirelessly to keep up with her school work and working at the 3C Grill and several potato harvests for Stoddard and Gilbert farms.”

Breanna currently works at the pool in Lava Hot Springs. It doesn’t take a father to see that she’s an inspiration to those around her, but he does go on to report that “she is an outstanding individual and represents the highest degree of standards. It’s so exciting to see her join the Navy, carry that tradition on, and will be something we can relate to and share for a long time. It’s hard to see her go but we’re so excited to see this amazing journey start.”